Oahu Report

Just got back from another great trip to Oahu, where I hadn't been in two years.

Some quick notes.

As usual, I hit a bunch of old favorites but also tried to branch out.

I think my best find this trip was Diamondhead Market and Grill. I know it's been around for a while, but I just got around to trying it. Amazing scones, great pork has patties and loco moco.

There's now a Gulick Deli on King Street, making it an easier trip for me than out to Kalihi, and hit a few other okazuya I hadn't been to in that vicinity (Fukuya, Gyotaku, Sekiya's). All had good things. I actually think I liked the other three better than Gulick.

Sam Choy's closed his Kapahulu joint. He added some of the famous dishes (brie wontons and fried poke) to the Breakfast, Lunch and Crab spot on the Nimitz, but all seems old and uninspired. Apparently, he'll renovate in September and reopen the BLC as "Sam Choy's" in September. I'm hoping it will be a return to former glory.

Mekong II, which I've always counted on, also seemed a bit lackluster. Curries were still great but papaya salad was nearly flavorless.

I always stop by Keneke's in Waimanalo, but hadn't had their shave ice in years (probably over 20). Wow, I had forgotten how good it was; definitely rivals Northshore and Waiola. Their Kalua pig wasn't as good as sometimes but pork adobo and lau lau were outta' this world.

Ono Hawaiian still rocks, who knew?

For the first time ventured outside Giovanni's to Romy's shrimp hut. Romy's is fine, but it's not Giovanni's.

Had many other great eats (too many to post here). For a much more detailed trip log (still in progress) with pix: www.recenteats.blogspot.com

Thanks for a very nice report! Glad you enjoyed yourself. I just saw Gulick on TV on the morning show with Manolo Morales showcasing their lunch and dinner and late nightmenus the food looked Great!!!!

I'm not sure about your comment about Ono, everyone knows they do.

You have a very nice blog as well! Thanks for letting us all know! :-)

You know, the last time I went to Ono was probably nine or ten years ago and I felt, at that time, that they'd lost some of their shine. Who knows, maybe I just was there on a bad day. But upon revisiting them this time, everything was spot on: Kalua Pig, Lomi Salmon, Chicken Long Rice, etc. All great. My only complaint is that I thought the lau lau was a little bland.

Also, re the okazuya I mentioned above, I was sad to see that Ebisu on King street had closed.